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Male strippers make their living embodying the fantasies of their customers. The job takes more than big muscles, and you should only try it if you enjoy being on stage in front of others. A successful stripper exercises regularly and maintains a charismatic persona. You also have to buy a costume and assemble a dance routine. Opportunities for stripping can be found by speaking to agencies, other strippers, and potential clients. By working hard and being open, you can become a successful stripper.

Improve your social skills. As a performer, you will have to work half-naked in large and rowdy crowds. You also need to engage your customers one-on-one. Spend some time talking to strangers. Practice until you feel completely open about yourself. You need to be able to look anyone in the eye with a smile.[1]XResearch source

The goal is to make customers feel special. Make conversations focus on the person you're speaking to rather than yourself.

Work your body into shape. Strippers help people visualize their fantasies, so you need to look your best. Muscle mass is important. You don't need to look like the Incredible Hulk, but you'll need muscles and defined abs. Visit a gym and start lifting weights two or three times a week. When you aren't in the gym, keep active with other activities, such as running or swimming.[2]XResearch source

Customers have varying tastes, so men with different body types can find work stripping.

Eat healthy food to lose body fat. Minimize your body fat by putting down the bag of chips. Substitute fats, sugars, and salt for fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Increase your intake of lean protein. Chicken and fish are great options, as are lean cuts of beef, eggs, and almonds. Get whey protein powder and mix it into water for a snack.[3]XResearch source

Take dance lessons. A successful performance includes smooth, appealing body movements. Seek out dance classes in your area so you can learn. Male burlesque or erotic dance classes will teach you a lot. Hip hop dance moves also show up in many stripper routines, so classes teaching them may be an option as well.[4]XResearch source

These kinds of dance classes also serve as social exposure. Use it to get a sense of whether or not becoming a stripper is right for you.

Come up with a stage name. Your stage name should be shorthand for your stripper persona. It'll be used to introduce you, so it should communicate what sort of experience people can expect. Many well-known strippers go by their actual names. This makes them identifiable, but a stage name can often do this while sounding more better. Choose a name that sounds alluring and exciting.

For example, John Smith doesn't stand out. You can switch to a name like “Andre Knife” or “Damian Chase.”

Get a quality portable speaker. Playing dance music on your phone won't help your routine. Most clients won't have sound systems for you to borrow. Look for Bluetooth speakers. Good ones provide better sound quality, but also produce volume. The music has to be loud enough so you can hear it over your clients. Check online for reviews before committing to a speaker.[5]XResearch source

When you work in a stage performance, you won't have to provide a sound system. However, many strippers get work by traveling to private parties, so it helps to have a portable speaker.

Bluetooth speakers can play songs you store on your phone. You may burn CDs and play these on regular speakers.

Assemble a costume. The first step to a good costume is authenticity. A Halloween costume won't do. Go online. Sometimes you can find authentic uniforms on sites such as eBay. Tear-away clothing is a popular option, and a tailor or seamstress can help you add snaps or Velcro. Complete the look with flashy, enticing underwear.

Some stage shows provide the costume. When you are starting out or working in someone's home, you will need to provide your own costume.

It helps to acquire more costumes as you work. You can't please someone who wants a firefighter when all you have is a police uniform.

Choose songs that pull your routine's theme together. The songs should match the outfit you chose. A good song selection will make your routine feel cohesive. If your customers know these songs and can sing along to them, your dance will seem even better. The best songs are also ones that you enjoy dancing to, since that makes your performance more authentic.[6]XResearch source

For example, a fireman routine could use songs like “Disco Inferno” or “Hot In Herre.”

Customize the songs into a mix. Get a song mixing program. There are free options, such as Audacity or the GarageBand application. These allow you to cut up the songs and assemble them into a whole. Playing every song in its entirety doesn't work well. Instead, cut out the best parts and place them together so they flow well.

You can also add sound effects to your songs. Go ahead and add a police siren or fire truck horn if it works well in your routine. These sounds can be found online.

It's best to keep the music simple. It should not draw attention away from you.

Watch male stripper performances for dance move ideas. Going out to see professional male strippers dance is the best research possible. Note what moves engage the crowd. You can also look online for recorded performances. Search for videos of male strippers. Videos that teach burlesque or hip-hop dances may also come in handy.

Plan out your routine. Stripping is a performance, so looking appealing won't make you good on stage. You don't have to plan out every step of your dance, but you should have some ideas for flashy moves. Pick some engaging, entertaining moves and place them at certain spots during the songs.[7]XResearch source

For example, take off your jacket when the bass drops on the first song. When the second song begins, take off your shirt.

Practice your dancing. Work on your routine every chance you get. Memorize the music so you never get lost during a performance. Focus on making your movements effortless while keeping your face oriented towards the audience. Remember to meet the eyes of audience members and smile so they feel special.

Practicing can be tough. Start out with people you trust, such as a significant other, a dance class, or a small group of friends.

Get professional photos taken. Headshots are as beneficial for strippers as they are for actors. Full-body shots are also necessary for this business. Agencies will use these to advertise you. They must not look cheap. Let a professional take them. Don't use lots of makeup or gimmicks. Smile and focus on the camera so your eyes look lively.[8]XResearch source

You should not bring your costume. In stripping, you will wear a lot of costumes, so using one now is limiting.

Get both black and white and color photos. Then have the company duplicate them.

Contact legitimate agencies in your area. A good agency is vital for getting your name out there. There are many reputable agencies, but also some bad ones. Search online for information before calling or emailing a company. Check to make sure they're a registered Ltd or PLC company with liability insurance. Also ensure that they have good reviews from clients and performers.[9]XResearch source

Work for a company that put on regular shows like Dreamboys, this guarantees you weekly work

Stay away from companies that charge you to put up your photo or say you can't work for other agencies.

Companies that seem to advertise dozens of male strippers are also bad business. Chances are they won't have enough work to spread around.

Contact revue shows for opportunities. Search out establishments that offer male stage performances. Tell the show organizer that you're interested in joining them. They can guide you in the right direction. Many times they'll let you into shows for free and let you watch. Sometimes they'll give you an audition.

Topless waiters work important jobs in many shows. Most likely, you will start as a waiter until you learn how to perform.

Speak to strippers in person. Go out to the shows to see how they work. Speak to other performers. They'll be happy to guide you in the right direction and give you tips on how to improve. They might also be able to set up interviews with their organization or with venue owners.[10]XResearch source

Making friends with the other strippers will help you. They can guide you to performing opportunities that they can't do themselves.

Show up for bookings. In the beginning, work will be hard to find. You will have to perform as a topless waiter or pick up work on short notice. If you want to get in the business, you need to show up to these events. Don't cancel at the last minute. A company that trusts you will give you more work. Losing that trust can be the difference between success or falling out of the industry.

Socialize with your clients. During performances, smile and look your clients in the eye. Show warmth and confidence. When you are not performing, talk to them. Keep the focus on them by asking questions like, “Tell me something interesting about yourself.” Making the client feel special makes your performance a success. They'll pay to see you and recommend you to others.

Treat all customers with respect. As a stripper, you'll deal with a varying clientele. Depending on your situation, you may work for men or women. Client ages and behaviors will vary. Remember that your role as a performer is to please your customers. Maintain your charisma and smile as much as you can. Be courteous so the customers stay interested in your performance.

Treating a customer poorly breaks the illusion of connection they have with you as a performer. You'll lose their business and might begin to develop a bad reputation.

Go where your clients go after work. As a stripper, you are essentially a salesman. You must do what it takes to bring people to your show or get them to buy your services. It can be helpful to spend time where you know your clients will be. Relax and spend time utilizing your social skills. When someone asks you what you do for a living, tell them and invite them.[11]XResearch source

Strip clubs are always a good locations for advertising, especially if you work there.

Different types of people frequent different venues. For example, if you want to perform for affluent, middle-aged women, try spending time at a wine bar.

Ignore people who aren't interested. You can't please everybody. Customers have different desires in a stripper or show. Stay aware of which customers are enjoying your show. Disinterested customers won't look excited. They may be distracted on a phone or not smile at you when you interact with them. It's better for you to attend to the people who enjoy your performance, since these are the ones that will pay you.

Avoid romantic relationships with clients. These types of romantic relationships aren't always bad, but it's easy to go overboard. In a charged atmosphere, you'll get plenty of customers who want more. These relationships can ruin the illusion of connection between stripper and customer. Remember that this is a job. Treat the clients well, but don't take advantage of them.[12]XResearch source

You are. If you are an attractive stripper who can dance well in a sexually charged environment, you will get a lot of offers from your customers. However, these relationships can feel shallow and the novelty may wear off after a short time. Also, being a stripper requires a lot of work, so you may feel like going home and resting.

About This Article

Co-Authored By:

wikiHow Staff Editor

This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Together, they cited information from 12 references. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article meets our high standards.

Becoming a male stripper is hard work, but by getting in shape and learning some killer dance moves, you'll be well on your way to achieving your dream. Focus on exercises that will give you muscles and chiseled abs, like weightlifting, running, and swimming. Along with exercise, eat lots of fruits, veggies, and lean protein to build muscle and burn fat. While having a good body is important, you’ll also need to be personable, so try talking to people you don’t know very well to get used to striking up conversations and getting over awkward moments. Make sure to take some dance classes as well, since all male strippers need to have great dance moves. To learn how to come up with a stage name, keep reading!